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Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    18 Jun 2026

    School Reunion and Connections

    Last weekend, Simon Ruddlesden went back to school, to celebrate the retirement of an exceptional geology teacher, who, together with colleagues, has built a department that consistently ranks among the best in the country.  The results speak for themselves: over 50% of the year group now take GCSE Geology; 85% of A-Level students achieved A or A* last year.There are incredible numbers and inspiring teaching. However, despite decades of producing highly capable geology students, very few of them have ended up in the ground investigation / geotechnical / geo-environmental industry. A missed opportunity, perhaps?As discussed at the recent AGS annual conference (and elsewhere), we are hearing that there are fewer well-trained graduates entering our industry, and we are seeing fewer universities offering geoscience degrees and fewer schools offering geology at GCSE and A-Level. However, perhaps the biggest challenge of all is awareness. Ask a school-age student what a career in geology looks like, and you’ll likely hear “mining…oil and gas…quarrying”. Our industry is often not even on the radar. If students don’t know we exist, why would they ever choose this path? Why would they pick geology at university if they don’t realise it could unlock a rewarding career in our field?So, Simon will be going back to school again, not to study, but to share what we do, why it matters, and how rewarding it can be. The ground investigation/ geotechnical/ geo-environmental industry won’t be for everyone, but there could be an untapped pool of future engineering geologists and geo-environmental engineers out there; we just need to reach them earlier. Let’s make sure the next generation know we exist!If you know of a school that would like to hear what Simon has to say about working in the industry, please get in touch. 

    School Reunion and Connections
    School Reunion and Connections

  • Recent projects

    Supervision of Contamination Remediation of Former Petrol Filling Station

    Ruddlesden geotechnical recently supervised the contamination remediation works for residential development of a former petrol filling station site in Exeter. Ruddlesden supervised the excavation of the underground fuel storage tanks, pipelines and interceptors, as well as grossly contaminated soils. Validation testing of the resultant excavations was subsequently undertaken, to demonstrate that no unacceptable levels of contamination remained in the ground. Groundwater quality monitoring in borehole installations was also undertaken before, during and after the remedial works, to assess the risks to controlled waters and a betterment of groundwater quality. Close liaison throughout the works with the local authority and Environment Agency, ensured that the regulators were satisfied with the works and all the relevant planning conditions were discharged.

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  • Recent projects

    TPH, PAH, VOC and SVOC Testing for Contamination Risk Assessments

    Extensive speciated total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), volatile organic compound (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) soil and groundwater testing was undertaken as part of the contamination investigation and assessment for a former railway station and bitumen emulsion depot in Somerset. The locations of the samples and suites of the laboratory testing were targeted, based on the conceptual site model (CSM) and site observations. The laboratory testing was supplemented with in-situ VOC testing using a photo-ionisation detector (PID). The results of the laboratory testing, which was UKAS accredited, were used as part of the human health and controlled waters risk assessments, so that appropriate remedial measures could be provided. All of the analysis and reports were approved by the local authority, NHBC and Environment Agency.

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